Infuse Your Wardrobe with a Tribal Touch

The fashions of 2013 that appeared on runways from New York City to Paris offer a bevy of interesting, unique styles and designs for every season. While most of the trends highlighted were bold, structured pieces in a variety of diverse, flashy colours and designs, there were a few designers who deviated from these styles and went for different looks, particularly tribal-influenced pieces. From outfits ready-made for an African safari to tribal-inspired accessories, fashion trends for 2013 suggest that looks created for jungle exploration are going to be a hit with fashion’s elite and offer option for those who are still into the boho scene.

Images via pinterest 

Expect to see a plethora of funky, jungle prints, such as leopard, zebra, and giraffe, as well an antiquated gold jewelry like embellished wrist cuffs and metal-plated neck ware this year. Although feminine prints and other girlish patterns will remain a hit with trendsetters, fashion experts predict that garments, jewellry, and other accessories bearing provocative tribal patterns and details will take over the chic set.

Accessories with a Tribal Appeal

Garments weren’t the only fashion pieces given a tribal makeover for 2013, brilliant, extravagant jewellry adorned with feathers and beading and handbags and purses in wild, uncommon colours and exotic prints also got the tribal tribute.Similar to the boho style from seasons’ past, tribal-inspired accessories are bursting with intricate details and uncommon ornamentation. Mix up your sophisticated, colonial-influenced look by including a clutch or scarf with an African animal print or jungle-themed pattern. Simple jewellry such as vintage wrist cuffs in tarnished metals and classic jeweled items from 77 Diamonds, pair well with more ostentatious pieces like feather earrings or a gold-plated necklace. Jewellry designers have also incorporated eccentric jungle prints in their pieces like bracelets bearing a variety of animal prints. Since piling on the arm candy is another big trend this year, don’t be afraid to up the ante by adding a bevy of tribal-esque bracelets.

Pictures used for collage via pinterest 

Indulge in Your Wild Side with the Tribal Pieces of 2013

Although funky patterns and prints are nothing new to the fashion industry (Remember last seasons’ pretty, effeminate florals and audacious, asymmetrical pieces?), this year’s fashion artists are regenerating this pattern and print craze, but have incorporated new prints and patterns influenced by the wild of the African jungle. Most clothing pieces seen at the various fashion weeks of 2013 were centered on the colonial period in African history, using materials such as a multitude of shades in khaki and infusing colours like jungle greens on his structured, clean conservative pants suits, A-line dresses, and flowing skirts. While most of the colors used in collections focusing on tribal items were more muted and subdued, there were plenty of bright colours and detailed beading in blouses, dresses, shorts, and pants, which escalated African and tribal personas of these collections. Like most new trends, don’t overdo it by centering your entire outfit around the tribal looks featured at these shows; by combining basic, simple pieces with other popular fashions or a classic garments, you can easily incorporate these new trends into your wardrobe. Try pairing a frilly, coquettish summer dress with a cool, sophisticated safari jacket reminiscent of a British colonial army uniform in a muted hue.

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